Free Online World History Courses from Top Universities

About this article
If history repeats itself, then the best way to understand the future may be to understand the past. The free courses listed in this article focus on different times and/or places in world history.
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Free World History Courses

Here are 8 online World History courses offered free by top universities: the University of Notre Dame, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Open University.

University of Notre Dame

Virtual University has obtained permission to post an Islamic Societies course from the University of Notre Dame. Learn about the history and religious practices of societies in the Middle East and North Africa.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT has a wealth of courses available in nearly every subject, world history included. In the Modern Latin America course, learn about the politics, relations and revolutions of Central and South America. The Introduction to Environmental History is a starting point for learning about humanity's effect on the planet from Columbus to the present day.

The Open University

The Open University has a brief and unusual history course, focusing on the history of textiles in Ghana.

Textiles in Ghana

Free Online World History Courses at a Glance

Course & SchoolProgram LevelFormatAssignmentsQuizzes & ExamsDownloadable
Islamic Societies: Religion, History and Culture course from University of Notre DameUndergraduate Yes No
Modern Latin America, 1808-Present: Revolution, Dictatorship, Democracy course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesYesYes
Introduction to Environmental History course from MITUndergraduateText LessonsYesNoYes
From the Silk Road to the Great Game: China, Russia, and Central Eurasia course from MITUndergraduateText LessonsNoYesYes
Nature, Environment, and Empire course from MITGraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
The World Since 1492 course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading MaterialsYesNoYes
Jewish History from Biblical to Modern Times course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesYesYes
Textiles in Ghana course from Open UniversityBeginnerText LessonsYesNoYes

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Public Admin - Government and Policy
      • Master of Public Admin - Government and Policy
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL)
      • Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL)
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PHD: History
      • PHD: History
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
      • CTG: History
      • CTG: History
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MSPRO - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • MSPRO - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Stanford, CA

    Stanford University

  • Cambridge, MA

    Harvard University

  • Philadelphia, PA

    University of Pennsylvania

  • Western Governors University

Featured Schools

The schools and programs listed below are popular educational options, and tuition varies based on program and location

Grand Canyon University

  • Master of Public Admin - Government and Policy
  • Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL)

What is your highest level of education?

Liberty University

  • PHD: History
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: History

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • MSPRO - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

Which subject are you interested in?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?

University of Maryland Global Campus